Q. Standing on Everest, the writer was

1. overjoyed.
2. very sad.
3. jubilant and sad.

Choose the right item.

Ans. jubilant and sad.

Q. The emotion that gripped him was one of

1. victory over hurdles.
2. humility and a sense of smallness.
3. greatness and self importance.
4. joy of discovery.

Choose the right item.

Ans. humility and a sense of smallness.

Q. “The summit of the mind” referes to

1. great intellectual achievements.
2. the process of maturing mentally and spiritually.
3. Overcoming personal ambition for common welfare.
4. living in the world of thought and imagination.
5. the triumph of mind over worldly pleasures for a noble cause.
6. a fuller knowledge of oneself.

Mark the item(s) not relevant.

Ans. a fuller knowledge of oneself.

Q. What are the three qualities that played a major role in the author’s climb?

Ans. The three qualities that ensured the success of the author were ‘endurance, persistence and will power’.

Q. Why is adventure, which is risky, also pleasurable?

Ans. Mountain climbing is a great adventure but is also risky. It is a great challenge and doing a challenging job is in itself pleasurable. It gives immense joy to the doers.

Q. What was it about Mount Everest that the author found irresistible?

Ans. Mount Everest attracted the author because it is the highest, the mightiest and has defied many previous attemps. It takes the last ounce of one’s energy.

Q. One does not do it (climb a high peak) for fame alone. What does one do it for, really?

Ans. Conquering summit is a great physical achievement. But more than that, it gives the climber the emotional and spiritual satisfaction. It satisfies man’s eternal love for adventure.

Q. “He becomes conscious in a special manner of his own smallness in this large universe”. This awareness defines an emotion mentioned in the first paragraph. Which is the emotion?

Ans. That emotion is ‘humility’.

Q. What were the ‘symbols of reverence’ left by members of the team on Everest?

Ans. The author left on Everest a picture of Guru Nanak. Rawat left a picture of Goddess Durga. Phu Doorji left a relic of the Buddha. Edmund Hillary, being a Christian, buried a Cross under the rock. All these were symbols of reverence to God.

Q. What according to the writer, did his experience as an Everester teach him?

Ans. The experience of having conquered Mount Everest changed him completely. It made him realise his own smallness.

Q. Write a sentence against each of the following statements. Your sentence should explain the statement. You can pick out sentences from the text and rewrite them. The first one has been done for you.

1. The experience changes you completely. One who has been to the mountains is never the same again.
2. Man takes delight in overcoming obstacles. __________
3. Mountains are nature at its best. ___________
4. The going was difficult but the after-effects were satisfying. __________
5. The physical conquest of a mountain is really a spiritual experience. _______________

Answer

2. The obstacles in climbing a mountain are physical. A climb to a summit is a test of endurance and will power. It is a challenge that is difficult to resist.
3. Everest is the highest and the mightiest and has defied many previous attempts.
4. When the summit is climbed, there is the joy of having done something, one has the feeling of victory and of happiness.
5. Mountains are a means of communion with God.

Q. Fill in the blanks in the following dialogues choosing suitable phrases from those given in the box.

at hand, at once, at all, at a low ebb, at first sight

Teacher: You were away from school without permission. Go to the principal (1)_________ and submit your explanation.
Pupil: Yes, Madam. But would you help me write it first?

Arun: Are you unwell?
Ila: No, not (2) __________ Why do you ask?
Arun: If you were unwell, I would send you to my uncle. He is a doctor.

Mary: Almost every Indian film has an episode of love (3) ________.
David: Is that what makes them so popular in foreign countries?

Asif: You look depressed. Why are your spirits (4) _________ today? (Use such in the phrase)
Ashok: I have to write ten sentences using words that I never heard before.

Shieba: Your big moment is close (5) _________.
Jyoti: How should I welcome it?
Shieba: Get up and receive the trophy.

Answer

1. at once
2. at all
3. at first sight
4. at such a low ebb
5. at hand

Q. Write the noun forms of the following words adding -ance or -ence to each.

1. endure
2. persist
3. signify
4. confide
5. maintain
6. abhor

Answer

1. endurance
2. persistence
3. significance
4. confidence
5. maintenance
6. abhorrence

Q. Match words under A with their meanings under B.

A	B
remote	difficult to overcome
means	most prominent
dominant	Be overcome/overpowered
formidable	Method(s)
overwhelmed	far away from

Answer

A	B
remote	far away from
means	Method(s)
dominant	most prominent
formidable	difficult to overcome
overwhelmed	Be overcome/overpowered

Q. Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with appropriate words from under A.

1. There were _________ obstacles on the way, but we reached our destination safely.
2. We have no __________ of finding out what happened there.
3. Why he lives in a house ___________ from any town or village is more than I can tell.
4. ___________ by gratitude, we bowed to the speaker for his valuable advice. 
5. (e) The old castle stands in a _________ position above the sleepy town.

Answer

1. formidable
2. means
3. remote
4. Overwhelmed
5. dominant